Hi, I’m Awhina – founder of Heart-Led Collective.

My journey started in a moment that changed everything. Two weeks out from Christmas, and just a month before my 7th birthday, my little brother passed away. He had a hole in his heart and died after another surgery.

That moment shaped the rest of my life. It lit a fire in me—a deep passion for helping people live their best lives and truly freakin’ thrive. Because I learned early on that life can change in an instant… and not everyone gets the chance to grow up, to chase their dreams, or to live fully. I'm sure you know someone who left this world too soon too.

That passion first led me into personal training. I spent over 10 years empowering women in the gym, helping them build confidence—not just in their bodies, but in themselves. Confidence they could take with them into the world.

But at 29, I thought I wanted to own a gym. So I went all in—money, time, energy—into opening my own space. And then… I hated it. The dream didn’t fit. I also found out I was pregnant. So there I was—running the gym solo, signing people up, coaching classes between sprints to the bathroom with morning sickness.

At 30, I became a mum. I left the gym world, and with it, my sense of identity. I didn’t know who I was anymore.

Then, my mum was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. And at 31, she passed away.

A part of me died with her.

My healing journey cracked me open. I went deep into breathwork, past life work, NLP, hypnotherapy, and everything in between. From that deep soul work, a new version of me—and new businesses—were born, including Surf and Soul Adventures.

But the deeper I got into soul-led business, the more I found myself craving real, in-person connection.

As someone who thrives off energy and people, working for myself—while holding space for others—often felt lonely. I was part of online communities, but they didn’t quite hit the mark. I needed to be around other women who got it. Women building heart-led businesses. Women juggling motherhood, clients, and purpose-driven work. Women who wanted to connect beyond surface level.

Then one day, in the shower (you know those shower downloads that hit like lightning?)—I got the idea for a local networking event for soul-led women in business.

I ran with it. And my first two Heart-Led Hustlers events in Christchurch sold out. The energy, the sisterhood, the feedback—it was unreal. Women were crying, hugging, laughing, saying, “I didn’t know how much I needed this.”

And that’s how Heart-Led Collective was born.

A space for women doing business differently. A home for creatives, coaches, healers, practitioners, side hustlers, and soul-led leaders to connect, collaborate, and grow—together.

Because business isn’t meant to be done alone. And when heart-led women gather, magic happens.